WASHINGTON — Despite numerous policies and studies advocating for greater integration of private sector innovations, the gap between rhetoric and action remains wide, experts said Aug. 26. 

Mandy Vaughn, an industry consultant and co-chair of a recent study by the Defense Science Board, said DoD has yet to institutionalize processes that prioritize commercial capabilities early in the budgeting cycle. 

“It’s easy for us to talk about integrating them,” Vaughn said at a SpaceNews webinar titled “Space: The Next Frontier of Strategic Competition.” She cautioned that real change would require a significant cultural shift within the government. This shift entails not merely using contractors for support but potentially replacing government-owned systems with privately developed services.

Vaughn pointed to NASA’s Commercial Cargo and Commercial Crew programs as successful models for leveraging private sector capabilities. In contrast, she observed that “the Space Force has yet to do the same in any substantial way,” beyond purchasing launch services from commercial providers.

Brian Weeden, systems director at the Aerospace Center for Space Policy and Strategy, called for a more nuanced understanding of the commercial space industry’s capabilities. While acknowledging the sector’s recent achievements, such as supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts, Weeden cautioned against over-hyped promises from some companies.

“We as the space community, and in particular policy makers, need to really think about how we measure the commercial space sector, both in terms of its size and its value,” Weeden stated. He advocated for better data on the industry’s economic contributions and on what strategic government investments might be needed in struggling but potentially crucial areas.

Retired Space Force general John Shaw, former deputy commander of U.S. Space Command, praised advancements made by organizations like the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office in engaging commercial firms. However, he argued that “we have not harnessed the full potential of our commercial and economic engines for national security purposes.”

Shaw acknowledged that security concerns might be contributing to the military’s hesitation in the space domain. Nevertheless, he stressed that in many cases, “the benefits far outweigh those vulnerabilities.”